Menifee School Board Considers School Bus Fee Hike
As reported in The Californian last Tuesday, the Menifee School Board is considering raising the fees parents pay to let their children rid...
http://www.menifee247.com/2005/11/menifee-school-board-considers-school.htm
As reported in The Californian last Tuesday, the Menifee School Board is considering raising the fees parents pay to let their children ride the school bus. The proposed fees are $190.00 a year per student, up from the current fee of $170.00.A week ago, The California went into greater detail on the issue. Of interest, it costs the school district about $590.00 per year to transport a child, yet parents are only having to pay $170.00 per year right now. The difference is eaten by the school district.
In total, the school district eats about $1.15 million per year, just busing kids to school. Actually, the school district is not eating that money, we are. As homeowners, we're paying that money. How could Menifee schools use that money if they didn't have to spend it on busing?
I don't mean to be nasty at Menifee parents. But it seems that in times when our school districts are stuggling to find money, and when we as taxpayers are already taxed as much as we can be taxed, we need parents to step up and solve this issue for us.
In other words, this shouldn't have to be the school district's problem. It should be the parents problem. Either charge the parents the full cost of $590.00 per year, or shut the whole busing system down.
Education is not a right, it's a responsibility. It's every parent's responsibility to get their kid into the classroom on time. The school district shouldn't have to deal with that.
I don't understand why kids can't walk or ride their bikes to school. The neighborhoods and streets here in Menifee are some of the safest I've ever seen in my life. This coming from someone who walked and rode his bike to school in City Heights of San Diego, and Santa Ana, two communities that make Menifee look like "It's a Small World". And I did this from kindergarten all the way through high school, and at one time was doing for twelve miles each way. If I could do it there, why can't kids do it in Menifee?
And the irony is that parents today walked and rode their bikes to school, just like me. How is it they can't allow their kids to do the same?
I know I'm being harsh on this, but then again, I think this needs to be said. $1.15 million is a lot of money I feel could be better spent. I think parents need to step up to the plate and take ownership of this issue.
I think "A Fathers" comment or rather judgement on other parents was rather harsh. Not all parents can afford to sell their home and move somewhere affordable. Has this Father priced homes lately in Southern California? I hate to be the one to break the news to him but the homes in this area ARE the more affordable ones in this part of the state.
ReplyDeleteYou can make guesses or rather judgements in your case, as to why children need to be bussed to and from school. Unlike you, I don't find that sitting with my child in a car breathing fumes from the long line of traffic is "quality time". Nor is all the hostility that seems to go along with it from the school staff once you arrive at the schools. Not to mention gas prices are still at an all time high. Bussing is more like carpooling and is more conservative than each of the hundreds of children attending school being given their own personal ride.
If the district is losing so much on transportation, why are they still handing out free rides? I bet if those children riding for free paid for the ride, a lot less children would ride and it might be more cost efficient for the school district. A lot less busses in transit period.
Quit socking it to those of us who work hard for a living!! (Quit judging us too "A Father", unless you're "The Father", it's not your job.
It is true that the homes in this area are affordable than anywhere else in California. We recently moved from Orange County and the cost for bus transportation was $300 per semester per student. So I am guessing that $170 a year is pretty reasonable. Believe me as more people move to Menifee the more the cost is going to increase.
ReplyDeleteMamma R,
ReplyDeleteThe reason you don’t see that time in the car with your children as “quality time” is because you don’t treat it as such. Perhaps if you if you turned off the radio, got off the cell phone and TALKED with your kids, instead of complaining about gas fumes the experience would be more pleasant and rewarding for you and your kids.
By the way, you can live in an apartment. And no one is making you stay in CA either.
I am sorry but in America EDUCATION in a PUBLIC SCHOOL is A RIGHT!! Yes, it is the parents responsibilty to get their child to school but public schools offer education to EVERYONE!!! I was so shocked that no on else has hit on that one!! Public school is most certainly a RIGHT! And I agree with Lee (posted on Nov.28) things are different now and preditors are out there. It should be about keeping the children safe!
ReplyDeleteLike i saud in a previous post. we do assume the responsibility of getting our children to school. look at all the roof's going up, avg the square footage of the home which is normaly 2000 sq ft or larger, than multiply the school fees and taxes by around $ 4.50 a sq ft by the ten's of thousands of homes sold. these tax dollars pay for the bus, tires, maintenance, driver, ect. we have paid in full upon purchase of our new home for district services, now we are simply getting double dipped. i would never let my 8 yr old cross newport rd to walk home from school, how dare the district carge the thousands in school fees only to cut bus service and put my child in harms way..ofcourse we altered our schedule to insure our childrens safety , its more than obvious the district dont care..
ReplyDelete